How to spend 48 Hours in Los Angeles

From a movie studio tour to a bike ride along the beaches, here is how to make the most of two precious days in LA...
Beyond the palm trees: Griffith park and its observatory
Amira Hashish6 February 2018

Sprawling and eclectic, Los Angeles is multicultural maze. Comprised of several distinct neighbourhoods, its sheer scale makes it impossible to navigate in a matter of days. However, with the right kind of itinerary in place it is amazing how much ground you can cover in 48 hours. The real beauty lies in the varying experiences. You can spend a day exploring the beaches before going for dinner in the grittier Arts District. Then, take in the Hollywood sights through a breathtaking hike before touring the movie studios. Here’s a guide to experiencing a fun snapshot of this brilliant metropolis...

Day 1

10.30am

Go for breakfast or brunch at Malibu Farm Cafe. At the end of the Pier, this is a bit of a stalwart and a fabulous way to soak up the Cali vibes overlooking the ocean. On the menu is everything from quinoa oatmeal to scrambled eggs.

12pm

A short drive along the Pacific Coast Highway in the direction of Venice Beach lies the Getty Villa, a beautiful museum dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome and Etruria. This architectural feat houses the J. Paul Getty Museum's collection of around 44,000 antiquities. Over 1,200 works are on view in 23 galleries devoted to the permanent collection, with five additional galleries for changing exhibitions. It is worth noting that some galleries will be closed until Spring 2018 as the collection is reinstalled in a new presentation. However, there is still plenty to see.

1:30pm

Hop in a cab for about seven minutes to a bike rental shop, of which there are many. Then cycle along the beach promenade towards Santa Monica Pier. The sprawling sea views and endless beach makes for quite the backdrop. After a lovely cycle, leave your bikes close to one of the stop-off points at Venice Beach boardwalk, where you will see lots of laid-back surfer dudes or hippy types chilling out.

3pm

Make your way towards Abbott Kinney Boulevard for a late lunch at one of the buzzy cafes. Gjelina is a favourite and a great place for star spotting but there are so many great options including Rose Cafe, Salt Air or Plant, Food and Wine. Leave room for ice-cream at Salt & Straw, where the flavours are as inventive as they are delicious.

Then, make the most of the boutiques with lots of locally made goods and quirky fashion.

6pm

Catch the newly extended Expo Line Metro from Downtown Santa Monica station to 7th Street / Metro Center and get an uber to Zinc Café in the Art District for a coffee. The area of formerly abandoned industrial buildings has become a thriving mecca for young professionals in creative industries.

8.30pm

Go for dinner at Bestia. Adventurous eaters will be pushed out of their comfort zones by the pastas and nose-to-tail Italiana from husband-and-wife star chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, who oversee an energetic staff at this industrial-chic warehouse in DTLA.

10.30pm

Enjoy post dinner drinks at Perch, a French inspired rooftop with unobstructed views of Downtown that makes it feel as though you are floating in the skyline. There are two outdoor fireplaces, various fire pits, lounge and table seating both indoors and out.

Day 2

10am

A trip to Los Angeles is not complete without an amazing hike. The two most popular trails are in Runyon Canyon and Griffith Park. Go with the latter on your first visit. Bike & Hikes do brilliant tours, with friendly and knowledgeable guides, which include a walk around the Griffith Observatory. There are so many stop-off points which put the scale of the city into perspective with the Hollywood sign standing boldly in the backdrop.

1pm

Treat yourself to lunch at popular new haunt Pizzana in Brentwood. This Neapolitan pizzeria is the work of Candace and Charles Nelson, who are also behind the loyally followed Sprinkles Cupcakes. Pizzana features handcrafted pies from Naples-born pizzaiolo Daniele Uditi His "slow dough" is fermented for 48-hours and results in a crust that is light yet sturdy. Toppings blend the traditional with the unexpected.

2.30pm

The world capital of showbiz, Los Angeles is home to the most famous working movie studios. Warner Bros is a must. A tour includes a rare look inside production and backlot areas, which were used in the creation of Academy Award Best Picture winners Argo and Casablanca. This is also where many scenes from La La Land were filmed. The Archive currently showcases the tour’s latest addition, From J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World: The Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts Exhibit.

It also includes DC Universe: The Exhibit which pays homage to the origins of DC Comics. Props and costumes from Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad are on show too. Don’t miss the Batmobile cave or the prop department, which is a fascinating insight into very recognisable sets. You can even have your picture taken on the Friends sofa.

4.30pm

Squeeze in some more shopping at The Grove. Look out for the old-fashioned trolley rides and oh-so-LA dancing fountains.The neighbouring Original Farmers' Market has more than 100 restaurants, grocers and tourist shops.

6.30pm

Watch the sunset at the Getty Center. This sister building to the Villa houses a collection of European and American art from the Middle Ages to the present against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens, and breathtaking views from downtown LA to the sea.

Best restaurants, bars and street food in LA

1/12

8.30pm

Tavern in Brentwood brings together a trio of concepts under one roof – a full service dining room, a marketplace and a bar with craft cocktails and artisanal wines. It is a good spot to spend an evening after a hectic couple of days. Plates come in small, medium or large sizes so you can share, tapas style.

For more restaurant or bar alternatives, check out our restaurant and bar recommendations.

Where to stay

For a truly iconic Hollywood experience, book a room at Hotel Bel-Air or the Beverly Hills Hotel. The Viceroy L'Ermitage is also a favourite amongst the celebrity set. For a more boutique option, there is Petit Ermitage, which has an exclusive rooftop terrace.

Top tips

For the latest on LA's new openings and must visit venues visit the very helpful DiscoverLosAngeles.com. There is also a handy map to help navigate the neighbourhoods.

How to get there

Search and find flights to LAX on Momondo. The site is super easy to navigate and also suggests popular international routes so if you are tying this in as part of a wider trip you can assess the best options for your budget. Visit momondo.co.uk; for the latest offers.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in